Kansas Governor Laura Kelly discussed several key topics in the Statehouse during an interview airing Wednesday on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment.
The governor says she’s not surprised Medicaid expansion hasn’t gotten far at all in the Legislature, although it appears her proposal will get discussed by lawmakers — the first time in four years. Kelly says she has addressed concerns from Republicans with every proposal she has submitted, but she also says Republicans keep “moving the goalposts.”
Kelly also says she took a far more political approach with this proposal than in years past, saying her traditional bipartisan approach hadn’t worked. She took a tour of the state last fall to promote the benefits of Medicaid expansion and she has used closures of facilities in Eureka, Herington and elsewhere to point out the potential drawbacks of not expanding Medicaid.
The governor also discussed tax policy, notably the key difference between her plan and the one Republicans support: the flat tax in the Republican plan. Kelly says the state just can’t afford a flat tax, especially as you look down the road.
Governor Kelly has been criticized for not lowering income tax rates, but she says her approach of increasing standard deductions was a more sustainable approach.
The governor also mentioned declining monthly revenues the past several months after better than two years of those revenues exceeding expectations. She says the state still has more than enough money to pay bills and pay for programs, so she’s not worried — yet — about any major budgetary adjustments.
Speaking of the budget, she encouraged lawmakers not to cut public education spending after the Kansas Supreme Court ended its oversight of K-12 funding for equity and adequacy earlier this month. She also encouraged legislators to increase special education funding.
Click here to listen to the full interview.
The governor’s interview also comes with local lawmakers set to gather at the Flint Hills Technical College Metcalf Building on Saturday for the first Legislative Dialogue of the session. As usual, light refreshments will be served starting at 8 am, with the conversation going from 8:30-9:30 am. 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine and 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber, both of Emporia, have confirmed they will attend. 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington has tentatively confirmed his presence, depending on his work duties as Coffey County Undersheriff.
